Tensioning device for ironing machines



June 20 1933. M BUCKLEY 1,9143% TENSIONING DEVICE FOR IRONING MACHINES Filed March 14, 1931 2 Sheeis-Sheet l @QWW NEfiQEA/ d-EUCZIZZE June 20, 1933. J BUCKLEY 1,914fi98 TENSIONING DEVICE FOR IRONING MACHINES Filed March 14. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENSIONING DEVICE FOR IRONING MACHINES Application filed March 14, 1931. Serial No. 522,593.

This invention relates to improvements in tensioning devices and more particularly to a tensioning device adapted to be used in connection with flatwork ironers.

In the ironing of fiatwork fabrics in lawn dries, it is the practice to run the fabrics through'a large ironing machine between the usual steam chest and ironing rolls, and in order to prevent the fabric from winding around the rolls, several cords are posi tioned between'one set of rolls and the fabrics, which act to guide the fabric through the machine and to strip the fabric from the rolls. This feature has been found objectionable due to the fact that the cords or strings have a tendency to leave marks or streaks on the fabrics. It was, therefore, found essential to use comparatively wide white tape which would not leave the objectionable marks on the linen, or other fabric. 7

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of improved tensioning means for the tapes which pass over the usual steam chest and engage the rolls to prevent the linens from winding around the rolls, so that these tapes will-be retained taut at all times, and the tensioning device is adjustable so that any slack in the tape can be readily taken up at any time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved type of tensioning device, wherein a set of guide rollers are provided for each tape, with the rollers independently adjustable so that the slack 111 each tape can be readily taken up with the sets of rollers arranged in spaced relation on alongitudinal supporting member.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one set of guide rollers, showing the application of the same to a supporting shaft and illustrating in dotted lines. the positions to which the guide rollers can be adjusted;

59 Figure 2 is a top plan View;

cludes a sleeve 2 mounted Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to Figure 1 showing another form of the invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 3; and,

Figure 5 is a detailed end elevation of one of the arm supporting sleeves.

It is the usual practice to have the guide tapes pass between the steam chest, which is provided with spaced raised arcuate portions and the rolls, and then pass over the top of the rolls in one direction. It is, therefore, essential that these tapes be maintained in a comparatively taut position so as to prevent the linens and other fabrics from clinging to the rolls and winding around-the same.

Arranged longitudinally of the ironer at one end thereof is a longitudinal tubular sup porting shaft 1 and arranged upon this shaft are several sets of supporting rollers.

In Figures 1 and 2, I have illustrated one 7 set of supporting rollers and each set inupon the shaft 1 and retained in various rotative adjustable positions by means of a set screw 3. Extending radially from the sleeve 2 is a boss 4 and in the sleeve 2 and communicating with the interior of the boss is a threaded bore. Threaded through the boss and into the bore is a supporting arm 5 having its .outer end disposed laterally to form a bearing 6 for the 0 guide roller 7. The guide roller7 is preferablyof spool-like form so that the tape-which is indicated at 8 will readily pass over the same.

Arranged in spaced relation with one end of the sleeve 2 is a collar 9 having athr-eaded bore and a boss 10 at one sidethereof adapted to removably receive the supporting arm 11 whichcarries the guide-rollers 12-011 its lateral projecting bearing arm 13.

e collar 9 is rotatably mounted upon shaftil; and adapted'to be retainedin various adjusted positions relative to the shaft by means of-the set screw '14.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 1 and positioned between the sleeve 2 and the collar 9 is ,a second collar 15 having a radialthreaded bore and a boss 16-communioating'therewith. Threaded into'the boreandth-e boss is a supporting arm 17 having a lateral prom0 jecting bearing portion 18 at the outer end, upon which is mounted the guide rollers 19.

All of the guide rollers 7 12, and 19 are of the same shape and design, and are all retained upon their respective bearing portions by means of washers 20 and the cotter pins 21.

It will be noted that the supporting arms 5, 11 and 17 are all of different lengths, the arm 5 being a comparatively short arm and preferably disposed below the tubular shaft 1, although this arm can be readily adjusted to position the guide rollers 7 at various points relative to the shaft 1.

The arm 11 is a substantially long arm extending beyond the outer end of arm 17, while the arm 17 is of sufficient length so that the outer end thereof is disposed substantially midway the outer end of arm 11 and the guide roller 7.

Due to the comparative length of the sleeve 2 and the collars 9 and 15, the guide rollers 7, 12 and 19, will all be arranged in substantial alignment as shown in Figure 2, with the tape 8 passing over the upper side of roller 12, thence down under roller 19 and up over roller 7. Due to the fact that collar 15 is loosely mounted on shaft 1, the weight of arm 17, together with the guide roller 19, will ride upon the upper surface of the tape in order to take up the slack therein, and as this roller 19 is positioned between the two rollers 7 and 12, it will be noted that the slack will be readily taken up and either one or both of the rollers 7 and 12 may be quickly and readily adjusted for taking up any comparative slack in the tape.

It will be noted from the showing in Figure 1 that the arms 5, 11 and 17 can be readily adjusted to various positions, the arm 17 be ing shown in a raised position and the arm 5 being shown in a back position, and arm 17 will readily adjust itself according to the positions of the other two arms and the slack in the tape. If the tape is comparatively tight, the roller 19 will be raised upwardly. However, as slack occurs in the tape, the weight of the arm 17 and the roller 19 will permit the arm 17 and the roller 19 to drop downwardly and in order to raise the same, it will be necessary to adjust either one of the arms 5 or 11.

It will be noted that each one of the arms 5,11 and 17 are provided with screw threaded portions at their inner ends adjustably engaging with the bosses 4, 10 and 16, whereby these arms may be adjusted longitudinally, as well as laterally to correctly position the lateral spindles ('3, 13 and 18, so that they will be disposed in horizontal planes for properly supporting the guide rollers for smooth engagement by the tape.

The arms 5, 11 and 17 are retained in adjusted position by means of ja-mb nuts 10 carried by the arms and closely fitting against the outer ends of the bosses.

Another feature to which I wish to call attention, is the fact that the guide rollers which are mounted on the outer ends of the arms can be dispensed with and the tape engaged directly with the spindles upon which the guide rollers are mounted.

From this construction it will be apparent that various widths of tape may be used. It will also be noted that arm 17 which is loosely mounted upon the supporting shaft 1 could be eliminated and arms 5 and 11 adjusted so that when the tape is passed around the guide rollers 7 and 12, the slack could be taken up with the use of the adj ustability of arms 5 and 11.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I have provided a very useful and essential device for taking up the slack in guide tapes on flat work ironers, and due to the construction, the guide rollers can be quickly and readily adjusted to various posit-ions in orderto readily take up any slack in the tapes. The device is also very simple in construction and can be manufactured and applied to ironing mangles with but very little cost.

While the device has been described and illustrated as particularly adapted for use in connection with tape, it will be apparent that the guide rollers can be made in various sizes according to the guide tape or cord used.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5, I have illustrated a modified form of the invention wherein the sleeve 2 is adjustably mounted upon the shaft 1 between the sleeves or collars 9 and 15. The sleeve 2' has an arm 5 formed integral therewith which supports the guide roller 7. Mounted upon the shaft upon the outer side of collar 15 is a stop collar 22. The collar 9 carries an arm 11 having a guide roller 12 mounted upon the lateral projecting bearing portion 13 and collar 15 carries a supporting arm 17 having a lateral projecting portion 18 supporting the guide roller 19.

In this form of the invention shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, it will be noted that the outer ends of arms 5, 11 and 17 are each provided with a threaded bearing 23, and the lateral bearing portions are threaded into these bearing members 23. Mounted upon shaft 1 is a collar 24 spaced from collar 9 and secured to the shaft. Arranged upon the shaft 1' and positioned between the collar 9, and the stop collar 24 is a heavy coil spring 25 normally maintaining the collars 9 and 15 and sleeve 2' in intimate relation.

The opposing faces of collar 9 and sleeve 2 are provided with ratchet teeth 26 which are normally maintained in engagement by means of the coil spring 25 so that the sup porting arms 5 and 11 will be securely retained in an adjusted position.

It will be apparent from the above construction that when it is desired to move either arm 5 or 11 to an adjusted position, either one of these arms can be moved independent of the other with the ratchet teeth riding over each other against the tension of the spring 25. However, as soon as the teeth are again inter-meshed, as shown in Figure 4, the spring 25 will retain the arms 5 and 11' in their adjusted positions. As in the main form of the invention, the collar 15 is loosely mounted on the shaft 1 and the tape 8 rides over the upper side of guide roller 12, thence downwardly around the guide roller 19 and upwardly over the guide roller 7, and due to the weight on the arm 17, as well as the roller 19, the tape 8 will be retained in taut position, so that the slack will be taken up at all times.

It is believed from the foregoing that applicant has provided a very efficient tensioning device for guiding cords or tape used on flat work ironers, whereby the cords or tape can be maintained in a taut position, and due to the easy manner of adjustment of this device, it is believed that the same will prove very useful for the purpose intended.

l/Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that slight changes may be made in the construction when putting the invention into practice without departing from the spirit of the same or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tensioning device of the character described including a supporting shaft, collars arranged thereon in end-to-end engagement, one of said collars being loosely mounted upon the shaft, means securing the other col lars against movement relative to the shaft, supporting arms projecting outwardly from the collars and guide rollers at the other ends of said arms.

2. A tensioning device including a supportting shaft, a series of collars arranged thereon in end-to-end relation, one of said collars being loosely mounted on the shaft, means for retaining the other collars against movement relative to the shaft, arms proj ecting from the collars, lateral bearing portions at the outer ends of the arms, and guide rollers on said bearing portions with all of said guide rollers arranged in horizontal planes.

3. A tensioning device including a stationary supporting shaft, a sleeve mounted thereon, a collar on the shaft spaced from the sleeve, means for retaining said sleeve and collar against movement relative to the shaft, a second collar loosely mounted upon the shaft adjacent the sleeve, a lateral arm projecting from the sleeve and each collar, said arms being of different lengths, guide rollers at the outer ends of the arms with said guide rollers all planes.

4. A tensioning device including a stationary shaft, a plurality of collars mounted thereon in end-to-end relation, with one of said collars longer than the others, one of said collars being loosely mounted on the shaft, means for retaining the other collars against movement relative to the shaft, a supporting arm extending radially from each collar, a lateral projection at the outer end of each arm, a guide roller on each lateral pro jection with the guide rollers arranged in horizontal planes and one in rear of the other.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

MATTHEW J. BUCKLEY.

positioned in horizontal 

